India goes digital with e-passports: Is it time to upgrade yours?
The age of digital travel has officially arrived in India. Now that the government is implementing chip-enabled e-passports in a few places, Indian tourists will now be able to experience improved security, quicker immigration, and worldwide compatibility.
The introduction promises a safer and more intelligent method of crossing foreign borders, marking a major improvement over the conventional passport booklet. What is an e-passport, though, and is it necessary for existing passport holders to convert? Here's all that you need to know.
What is an Indian e-passport?
An Indian e-passport is a modern travel document that combines the traditional paper booklet with an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna.
The passport holder's biometric and personal data, including fingerprints and photos, are safely stored on this chip. These passports are recognised by a unique gold-colored insignia on the front cover. Processing at immigration checkpoints is made faster and more secure by the use of this technology.
Key benefits of e-passports
Enhanced security
: Digitally signed biometric data, secured by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), is stored on the integrated chip in e-passports.
This security framework ensures the legitimacy and integrity of the data, making it difficult to fabricate or change the passport.
Streamlined immigration
: e-Passports enable automated and contactless verification at border controls, significantly reducing wait times and enhancing the travel experience.
Global compatibility
: Indian e-passports, which adhere to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, will allow Indian nationals to enjoy hassle-free travel abroad, as these chip-based passports are recognised and acknowledged at immigration checkpoints in most parts of the world.
Fraud prevention
: By discouraging counterfeiting and unauthorised changes, advanced security elements in e-passports shield users against fraud and identity theft.
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Is it mandatory to replace existing passports?
No, holders of valid passports are not obliged to switch to electronic passports. Conventional passports will continue to be valid until they expire. For new applicants and those renewing their passports, the switch to electronic passports is being made gradually.
Where are e-passports being issued?
As part of the Passport Seva Program (PSP) 2.0, the Indian government launched e-passports on April 1, 2024, in a pilot phase. Currently, selected passport offices in cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Nagpur, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Ranchi are equipped to issue e-passports. There are plans to expand this facility to more centers in the near future.
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How to apply for an e-passport
The current online passport application procedure can be used by citizens to apply for an e-passport.
The new chip-enabled passport will be issued to applicants throughout the application or renewal procedure if the relevant passport office is prepared to issue e-passports. In the upcoming months, a phased deployment of the government's efforts to allow all passport offices nationwide to issue e-passports is anticipated.
With the launch of these passports, India moves ahead to improve national security and make foreign travel easier for its residents.The Government encourages residents to choose the new, safe, and internationally accepted travel document when they apply for or renew their passports, even if current passport holders are not required to use e-passports.
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How closely will students enrolled in the public policy programme engage with government departments? Are there plans for hands-on fieldwork, policy labs, or real-time governance projects? Students enrolled in the public policy programme will engage closely with government departments, district administrations, and district collectors/magistrates through hands-on fieldwork, real-time governance projects, and policy labs. The programme is designed to provide immersive exposure to administrative challenges, allowing students to contribute meaningfully to public policy formulation and implementation. Q7. There's growing chatter online that traditional MBAs may be losing value. How do you respond to that perception? Is the MBA still a strong investment? The value of an MBA, especially from a premier management institution is far from diminishing. For the next 20–30 years, I believe the demand for MBAs will continue to grow, particularly as global markets, including Europe and Japan, face managerial talent shortages due to demographic shifts. An MBA equips individuals with timeless, core capabilities. It's not just about textbook knowledge—although that's important—but about structured problem-solving, clarity of thought, and collaborative leadership. One of the most significant takeaways from an MBA is exposure to a diverse peer group that challenges your thinking and broadens your worldview—something no online course or isolated learning experience can fully replicate. advetisement While pedagogy and tools will evolve with technology, the foundational skills of leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics will remain highly relevant. In fact, with globalisation and cross-border collaboration becoming the norm, the MBA continues to be a powerful investment in long-term career growth, both in India and internationally. top videos View All Q8. With AI rapidly advancing, do you believe it will significantly displace jobs? Which sectors or roles are likely to be most affected, and how should management graduates prepare for this shift? Recognising the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, IIM Raipur acknowledges that routine jobs across sectors such as customer service, logistics, and manufacturing will likely be most affected. However, AI also presents significant opportunities. To equip students, the institute has been offering a dedicated course on AI for several years and is now expanding this with comprehensive workshops. Additionally, to prevent copying from AI tools, we have made it mandatory for all assignments to go through Turnitin (a similarity detection software) that can easily detect the use of AI-generated content. IIM Raipur is also developing an AI policy to guide responsible use, fostering independent thinking and ethical application of generative AI tools in education. The focus remains on building adaptability, critical thinking, and domain-AI integration skills to help management graduates thrive in an AI-driven economy. About the Author Archit Gupta Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Education News IIM IIM Raipur MBA Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 06, 2025, 20:10 IST News education-career AI Will Disrupt Routine Jobs, But Also Create Opportunities: IIM Raipur Director | Interview
